Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 303, 6 December 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Blondin.—The Australian Blondin will appear in Lowe street to-night. Free Port.— A proposal is mooted to make Auckland a free port. Sleepy.—Dilatory passengers have a good deal to thank the local agent of the U.S.B. Co. for.

Peace.—A constable is not allowed to arrest a man turned out of an hotel unless asked to do so by the landlord.

J Battery.—The members of the Battery mustered at the Drillshed this morning, under Captain Winter. The men went through judging distance practice. Supreme Court.—A large number of Europeans and Natives came down the Coast yesterday and to-day to attend the sittings of the Supreme Court. Confirmation.—lt is notified that the rite of confirmatson will be conferred on candidates to-morrow morning at Holy Trinity Church by his Lordship the Bishop.

Major Ropata.—Visitors from the Coast report that Major Ropata is a little better in health, and great preparations are being made at Wai-o-Matatini for the Land Court in January. Meeting of Natives.—A monster meeting of Maories will be held in about two months at Aramoha, near Wanganui. Over 2000 are expected to be present, including Titokowaru.

Brutal Assault.—A Christchurch wire states that William Tyrrell, William Peacock, and John Cotton, were committed for trial yesterday for criminally assaulting a woman with extraordinary brutality on Monday night. Licensing Committee. — The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Committee was again adjourned to-day until the 18th inst., as the R.M. Court Room was occupied in the hearing of a horse stealing case.

Fire.—During Mr. Locke’s speech last nigh a false alarm of fire was raised and in about two minutes after the alarm the hall was half empty as a general rush for the doors took place, but they soon returned with a “ penny wise pound foolish ” sort of expression on their countenances.

Murder.—lt appears that the affray at Newthorn, hear Dunedin, resulting in the death of Meldrum, commenced in a quarrel over a dog fight. Meldrum was hit over the head with the butt end of a gun, and stabbed in several places with a shoemaker’s knife.

Potatoes. — At Ratcliffe and Co’s mart to-day Messrs Graham,tPitt and Bennett offered a quantity of old and new potatoes for sale which realized as follows : — Old potatoes, 3s. per bag ; new potatoes Id. per lb.

Wanganui.—ln the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Mr. Timms sued Mr. Spardie for £lOO penalty incurred by defendant doing work for the Borough Council, though himself a Councillor. The Magistrate gave judgment for plaintiff. Fire.—From Napier we learn that a cottage occupied by Peter Eddy, Corporation laborer, at the rear of the Royal Hotel, Carlyle street, was burnt down yesterday evening. Eddy lost everything except the clothes himself and family were wearing. The cottage was insured for £lOO, but Eddie was uninsured.

Larceny.—The case of larceny against the native named Tamati Turangi, alias Tamati Paraikete, which was remanded for hearing this morning before Mr. Booth. A number of witnesses were examined, defendant pleading not guilty, though he admitted to the arresting Sargeant (Sergeant Villers) that he was drunk when the alleged offence took place. His Worship committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Band of Hope.—The usual monthly social gathering of the above took place on Thursday evening. After singing and devotional evercises, a varied programme was gone through. Readings by Master Miller and Mr. Scotter, a song by Miss Green, recitations by the Misses Jane Spence, Eva Banks, Jane Adair, and Mr. E. A. Slack, a duett by Miss Stiekley and Mr. Goldsmith, and an address by Mr. Finlay. The several performers well deserved the applause showered upon them, as each one did their best to make the meeting a success. The audience was large, and hoth old and young thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A few new members were added to the already long list, at the close of the meeting. 1

Sale of Property.—At Messrs Graham, Pitt and Bennett’s sale to-day, the property as advertised for sale owned by Mr. Gillink, was offered and passed in. The sale of the balance of the goods announced to be offered, was adjourned until Thursday next.